Global Labor Movements: From Early Unionism to the Internationals

Early Labor Agitation & British Unionism

Early agitation coincided with years of war against Napoleon, periods of poor harvests, high prices, and reduced trading activity. From 1830, unionism saw several attempts to form a national labor union. A significant effort was led by Robert Owen, one of the first ideologues of utopian socialism.

The Grand National Consolidated Trades Union

In 1834, Owen founded the Grand National Consolidated Trades Union, aiming to unite over half a million agricultural

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Cultural Diversity and Mass Culture: Preserving Global Identity

The Cultural Industry and Mass Society

The defense argument posits that mass culture is not typical of capitalist forms but an inevitable consequence of industrial societies. Diffusion takes place from segments of the population who had no prior interest, awakening a desire for changing realities. The popularization of ideas has acted as a catalyst for revolution, with the distribution of works occurring faster and with greater consequences.

Horkheimer and Adorno, in the 1940s, introduced the term

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The Genesis and Evolution of the European Union

From Post-War Reconstruction to European Integration

After World War II, with Europe devastated, politicians and intellectuals began to express the idea of avoiding a recurrence of armed conflict between states. A significant reason for this was the control of the Saarland, a territory rich in mining and steel industries. To prevent future conflicts, the creation of a supranational body was proposed, one with unique authority to control coal and steel production. This initiative led to the establishment

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Irish Women’s Rights & Activism: Challenging Gender Roles Pre-1918

Irish Women’s Rights & Activism: Challenging Gender Roles Pre-1918

Women’s Rights in 1860s Ireland

In 1860, women’s rights were significantly limited. Key characteristics included:

  • No Voting Rights: Women of any class or age could not vote in local or national elections.
  • Legal Subordination: All women were covered under their husband’s identity; their legal status was always subordinate to men.
  • High Celibacy Rates: High levels of celibacy in Ireland for women were often linked to poverty or dependence.
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Political Economy Concepts, Systems, and Democratic Transitions

Key Concepts in Political Economy

Understanding the foundational terms in political economy is crucial for analyzing global systems and development.

Definitions of Core Terms

Illiberal Democracy
A governing system where, despite elections, citizens lack access to information about those in power due to the absence of civil liberties.
Political Economic System
The intricate relationship between economic and political institutions, including the policies they create and their resulting outcomes.
Institutions
Humanly
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Official Language Policy in Public Service and Education

Language Skills in Public Administration

Requiring specific language skills for access to public service need not be contrary to the principle of equality. If the Administration, by constitutional mandate, must ensure the use of two languages, then language skills are integrated into the core of the principle of capacity, like any other knowledge requirement suitable for professional work. Without officials possessing these language skills, the Administration could not meet its constitutional mandate.

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